Maggs: Promotion is a must

Bailo Camara challenges for the ball during Hastings United's game at home to Guernsey last weekend. Picture by Terry S. Blackman

Published:06:00Saturday 21 September 2013

Share this article

Hastings United manager John Maggs admits he will have failed if he doesn’t lead the football club to promotion.

United are targeting an instant return to the Ryman Football League Premier Division following relegation last season and they’ve made a pretty decent start. The U’s currently sit fourth in Division One South with 16 points from seven matches and trail leaders Walton Casuals by five points with two games in hand.

Speaking after last weekend’s FA Cup first round qualifying defeat at home to Guernsey, Maggs said: “I’ve been brought here to basically get us out of this league and if I don’t get them out of the league this year, whether it’s by being champions or in the play-offs, I will have failed and the consequences are it’s a must job for me. I’ve got to get them out of this league.

“I’m not a manager to come and throw tea cups up the wall or stuff like that, but I’ve told them (the players) straight...we can’t afford to be punished in games the way we were today.

“If we don’t learn and learn quickly, I will make the changes - I’ve got to. I’ve got to get it right and get us back where we should be and that’s at the top end of this league.”